Kaiser Nurses End Strike as New Staffing Standards Reshape Negotiations

31,000 registered nurses and health care professionals from Kaiser Permanente across California and Hawaii concluded their five-day strike on Sunday. The protest, organized by the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP), focused on critical issues such as staffing levels and wage disparities. With the strike now over, discussions are set to resume, shaped by new staffing standards introduced during the walkout.

The Joint Commission released updated staffing standards that will significantly influence future contract negotiations. According to the UNAC/UHCP, these new regulations transform staffing from a mere “choice” for employers to a critical patient safety standard. This shift is designed to bolster the negotiating position of caregivers, emphasizing the importance of safe staffing in health care settings.

UNAC/UHCP President Charmaine S. Morales, RN, stated, “The Joint Commission has finally said what nurses have known all along: unsafe staffing is unsafe care. Employers like Kaiser can no longer treat staffing like a budget line. It’s now a national patient safety mandate — and UNAC/UHCP will make sure it’s enforced.”

Negotiations between Kaiser Permanente and the Alliance of Health Care Unions are scheduled to resume on October 22-23, 2025. Kaiser has acknowledged that while staffing issues are significant, wages remain the core reason for the strike. The health care provider expressed its commitment to reach an agreement that addresses both wage increases and the enhancement of medical plans and retiree benefits, all while maintaining high-quality, affordable care.

The striking nurses and health care professionals picketed in various locations, including Bakersfield, advocating for better working conditions and fair compensation. The impact of their strike was felt across approximately 500 hospitals and clinics in both states, drawing attention to the urgent need for reform in staffing policies.

As bargaining resumes, the focus will likely remain on the newly established standards and how they will be implemented to ensure that patient safety and caregiver support are prioritized. The outcome of these negotiations will be closely monitored by both health care professionals and the communities they serve, as both sides seek to address the pressing issues that prompted the strike.

In conclusion, the successful conclusion of the strike marks a pivotal moment for Kaiser Permanente and its employees. With the advent of new staffing standards, the landscape of health care negotiations is poised for significant changes, reflecting broader concerns about patient safety and the welfare of health care workers.